Selecting system.



A. F. DIXON. SELECTING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-30,19I5.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918.

lm/en for: Amos F'D/xon.

uNrrED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

AMOS E. DIXON, 0E NEWARK, NEw iERsEY, AssIeNoR, BY MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTERN ELEcTRIc COMPANY, INcoRPoRATEn, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SELECTING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 16, 1918..

Application filed September 30, 1915. Serial No. 53,435.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AMos FREDERICK DIXON, a citizen of the United States, resid ing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Selecting Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to selecting systems, and is particularly adapted for use in printing telegraph systems, although obviously not limited to this field.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved system of the above type, wherein the selecting operations are initiated by the augmented units of selective combinations of sequential current impulses of alternately-opposite polarity.

To this end the invention, in accordance with its general characteristics, comprises a current distributer for successively bringing the elements of a selecting apparatus into cooperative relation with a device responsive only to augumented line current impulses. The successive operations of the distributer are initiated through the influence of the line current impulses, and are then controlled locally so that the completion of each operation is independent of the duration of the line impulses.

The above and other objects of this invention will be fully set forth in the following description and claims, and will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein the preferred circuit arrangement and type ofapparatus is shown diagrammatically.

The distributer, whereby the effects of the line current impulses may be caused to suecessively act upon the elements of a selecting apparatus, comprises a plurality of switches, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and electromagnetic means for successively operating them. This means comprises a spring-tensioned actuator 6, pivotally connected to a spring-tensioned armature 7 of an operating or stepping electromagnet 8. This magnet 8 is a heavy magnet and the spring which tends to retract its armature 7 is of a strength sufficient to tend to slightly delay the action of magnet 8 on armature 7 and actuator 6 for the reasons which will be hereinafter set forth. Actuator 6 is provided with a plurality of insu lated pins 11, 12, 13,14 and 15, each adapted to cooperate with a corresponding one of the switches 1 to 5, as will be hereinafter described.

In order that the repeated energization and deenergization of electromagnet 8 may cause the successive operation of switches 1, to 5, these switches may be arranged in slightly different planes; thus, switch 1 will be located above switch 2, which in turn is above switch 3, and so on in stair-like formation. If desired, however, the switches may be arranged in one plane and the pins 11 to V 15, located on actuator 6, in different planes,

pin 11 being inthe lowest plane and pin 15 in the highest. The movement of actuator 6 isdirected by a movement-controlling mechanism comprising a pivoted and spring-ten sion stepped member 16, on whose steps a projection 17 of actuator 6 is adapted to rest. The energization of'electromagnet 8 moving actuator 6 to the left, causes projection 17 to drop down one step on member 16, and the subsequent deenergization thereof allows the spring of armature 7 to'move actuator 6 to the right, closing one of the switches and carrying with it the member 16. A pivoted spring-tensioned holding pawl 18 cooperates with the steps of member 16 to hold that member in each new position into which it is moved by the successive deenergization of electromagnet 8. At the end of a cycle of operations, a restoring mechanism operated by a restoring electromagnet 19, causes the return of the entire mechanism to'normal position. This mechanism comprises a spring-tensioned armature 2O pivotally connected to a restoring lever 26; lever 26 being provided with a pair of pins 27 and 28 for engaging and elevating actuator 6 and pawl 18 respectively.

One member of each of the switches 1 to 5 inclusive. is connected through a corresponding selecting mechanism 31, 32, 33, 3 1 and 35 of any desired form of selecting apparatus to ground. The selecting mechanism shown, preferably comprises a plurality of relays 31 to 35 which are designed to be very quick acting. One such form is disclosed in Patent No. 1,103,133, issued July 14, 1914. I

The system disclosed i adapted for operation on a five unit code, selective combinations of current impulses arriving from a distant transmitting stationover a transmission line L. These impulses, which may be formed by any desired means, are alter nately of opposite polarity, and the alternations may or may not be'separated by no- The current in acteristically responsive to impulses of different polarity. Thus, a negative impulse may move the armature to the right, while a positive impulse will move it to the left,

and in accordance; with the well-known con struction of'polarized relays, the armature remains in the position into which it has been moved through the effect of an impulse of one'polarity until it is moved by an impulseof theopposite polarity. Relay 37 is so adjusted that it responds to all of the impulses received, while relay 36 responds only to those impulses of either polarity whose voltages have been augmented.

Relay 36 is provided with a pair of armatures 40 andel. Armature 40 is connected to onemember of switches 1, 3 and 5, and armature 11 is connected to one member of switches 2 and 1. Armature 10 cooperates with a front contact connected to a ontact 42 associated with armature 38, while armature 41 cooperates with a front contact connected to a contact 13 also cooperating with armature 38 and one member of a switch 1 3' This switch is normally open but is adapted to be closed upon the first movement ofactuator 6 as and for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The other eleinentof switch 4 1 isconnected to groundthrough thewind ing of a relay 50 and to a back contact associated with anarmature 51 of this relay,

Contact 12 is also connected to ground through a winding of a relay 52, to a back contact associated with an armature 53 of this relay, and to one member of a switch 55. Switch 55is normally in an open condition, but is adapted, as will be presently exp'lainedQto be closed upon the fourth decnergization'of electromagnet 8. Relays 50 and'52 are made slow-acting, preferably by placing in series with their windings suitable inductive resistances, as shown, to give the desired amount of lag in operation.

Armature s 51 and 53 are connected to ground tl'irough the winding of electromagnet 8 and to a front contact cooperating with an armature 60 of a. restoring relay 61. Armature 60 is connected to a grounded so'urce ofenergy 62. One terminal of the winding of relay 61 is connected to a movable contact 63 and one terminal e of the wir'i'ding of a relay 6 15 The other terminal ofrelay 6a is connected to ground. Relay 61 is also'provided with: a grounded armature 70 to which theot her terminal of its winding is connected, and which cooperates with a front contact connected to a grounded source of e11e1gy71, through the winding 01' restoring electroina gent 19: Rel'ay- 61 is bro vided with anarmature '72 connected to a grounded source of energy 73, a suitable clear-out switch 74, and adapted to engage moyable contact 63 to separate it from a cooperating back contact connected to one member of switch 55.

With the elements of the system normally in the condition shown in the drawing,= the operations in a selectingcycle are as follows: The first impulse arriving over line 11 being of positive polarity, will cause armature 38 of relay 37 to movefroin contact 43 to contact e2; A parallel circuit to ground from source 39 is thereupon established through armature 38 and contact 42, one branch leading through the slow-acting relay 52 while the other branch passes through armature'53 and the winding of electroinagnet 8. The

resultant energization of electromagnet 8 moves actuator '6 to the left. This results in the opening of switch 1, the closing of switch 44, and the movement of projection 17 tothe next lower step on member 16. Slow-acting relay 52 is also energized, attracting its armature 53 to open the previously inentioned branch through electromagnet 8, whereupon this electromagnet releases its armature 7.7 It will now be apparent that relay 52 is made slow-acting in order that electromagnet'S may be operatively energized before its circuit is opened by the attraotio'n'of armature 53, and that the deenergization of the electromagnet 8 is inde pendent of the length of the line impulses.

T he deenergization of the eieca-oma net allows the spring of armature 7 to move actuator 6 to the right, and since the a'ctu'a-- tor is now lowered one step, pin 12 closes switch 2; The closure of switch 2, however, can perform no function at this time, since armature 38 is engaging contact 42. This movement of actuator 6 also causes projection 17 to rotate member 16 in a clockwise direction, and lever 18 is moved by its spring to the nextlower step If the first impulse had been an augmented impulse, neutral relay 36 would also have been operatively energized by it, and armatures 40 and 41 would have been attracted. Upon the engagement of armature 38 and contact 42, ,a circuit would thereupon have been complete'd'fronr grounded source 39, through armatiirei-' 10' and switch 1 to selecting mechanism 31. This mechanism would thereupon have performed its function in the'desir'ed selecting operation. The operation of mechanism 31 is effected by reason of the fact that it is very quick acting and has functioned before the heavy magnet 8 has had time to acton" its armature? and actuator 6 against the pull of the strongspr ng 3V The second impulse (negative) mo\ 'e's armature 38 into reegagement with contact 43, and a circuit is completed from grounded source 39, armature 38,. contact 43, switch 44, and through parallel branches including slow-acting relay 50, and armature 51 and electromagnet 8 to ground. Electromagnet 8 again attracts its armature, moving actuator '6 to the left, causing the opening of switch 2, and the downward movement of actuator 6 an additional step. The operative energization of slow-acting relay 50 interrupts the circuit through electromagnet'S, whereupon actuator 6 is again moved to the right, resulting in the closing of switch 3, the clockwise rotation of member 16 and the depression of lever 18 one additional step. If this impulse is of ordinary voltage, it performs no further function; while if its voltage has been increased, relay 36 will also attract armatures 40 and 41, and a circuit will be completed from source 39 through armature 38, contact 43, armature 41, switch 2 and mechanism 32 to ground, causing this mechanism to perform its function. The closure of switch 3 can perform no function at this time since armature 38 is engaging contact 43. The third impulse causes the operation of mechanism 33, if it is of increased voltage, and in any event causes the closing of switch 4. The fourth impulse may selectively operate mechanism 34, and effects the closure of switches 5 and 55.

The fifth impulse, if of increased voltage, will complete a circuit through mechanism 35, and in any event will complete a circuit from source 39, through armature 38, contact 42, and thence through three parallel paths to ground. One of these paths leads through relay 52, another through armature 53 and electromagnet 8, and the third through switch 55, movable contact 63, and

relays 61 and 64. Electromagnet 8 opens switches 5 and 55; not, however, until after both relays 61 and 64 have attracted their armatures. Relay 64 pulling up its armature 72 completes a holding circuit for itself and relay 61 over a path from grounded source 73, switch 74, armature 72, movable contact 63, and relays 61 and 64. The disengagement of movable contact 63 at its cooperating back contact does not take place until after the engagement of armature 72 and contact 63, so that there is no interval during which current does not pass through the windings of relays 61 and 64. The pulling up of armature 6O completes a circuit from grounded source 62 through electromagnet 8, so that electromagnet 8 is held in energized condition regardless of the subsequent operative energization of relay 52. Armature 7O completes a circuit from grounded source 71 through the restoring electromagnet 19, which upon attracting its armature 20 causes pins 27 and 28 toelevate actuator 6 and lever 18 respectively. The elevation of lever 18 allows the spring of member 16 to move this member in an anti-clockwise direction, so that upon the subsequent deenergization of electromagnets 8 and 19, actuator 6 and lever 18 will assume the position shown in the drawing, and the distributer will be again in a normal condition ready to be acted upon by a new selective combination of impulses.

The opening of switch 74, which may be accomplished by any suitable automatic or manual means, opens the holding circuit for relay 64, and this relay and relay 61 be-' come deenergized, whereupon the energize ing circuits for electromagnets 8 and 19 are opened and actuator 6 is moved to the right. Since the actuator has just been elevated by restoring electromagnet 19, it assumes its first position with pin 11, closing switch 1 and opening switch 44. A negative im ulse, which may be termed the clearing impulse, is now provided by the distant transmitting station, or if desired, locally, to move armature 38 from engagement with contact 42 into engagement with contact 43, and the entire system is in a normal condition. The opening of switch 44 breaks at this time what would otherwise be a normally closed circuit from source 39 through relay 50 and electromagnet 8, this switch preventing the apparatus from now taking a premature step.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a selecting system, the combination of a transmission line, a distributer comprising a plurality of switches and means for operating them, an electromagnet therefor, means responsive to the line current impulses for establishing an energizing circuit for said electromagnet, and means for effecting the deenergization of said electromagnet independently of the line current impulses, the energization and denergization of said electromagnet effecting the operation of said switches.

2. In a selecting system, the combination of a distributer comprising a plurality of switches and means for operating them, an electromagnet therefor, a relay responsive to line current impulses for controlling the energization of said electromagnet and a slow-acting relay for controlling the deenergization of said electromagnet, the energization and denergization of said electromagnet effecting the successive operation of said switches.

3. In a selecting system operable upon selective combinations of line impulses and an additional clearing impulse, the combination of a distributer comprising a plurality of switches and mechanism for sucessively operating them, an electromagnet energized through the agency of the selective combinations of line impulses for effecting the operation of said distributer, andmeans controlled by said; mechanism for rendering said distributer unresponsive to the clearing impulse.

a. In a selecting system, the combination of a distributer comprising a plurality of switches and means for operating them, an electromagnet therefor, a polarized relay operable upon each line impulse for controlling the energization I01 said electromagnet, and apair of slow-acting relays each controlled by alternate operations of said polarized relay for controlling thedeenergization of sand electromagnet, the

V energiza'tion and deenergization of said electrom'agnet eifecting the successive operation of said switches.

5. A selecting system operable upon selective combinations of line current impulses comprising a plurality of switches, a select ing' mechanism associated with each of said switches, electro mechanical step by step means for successively closing said switches, a relay responsive to each line impulse for initiating each step of said means, local electromechanical devices controlled by said relay for completing the successive operation AMOS F. DIXON.

Copiesofthispatent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Eatents,

c Washington, D. 0. 

